The Ellesmere Port C of E College are hosting an Art Exhibition this week, titled ‘Journey into Light’.

Prisoners from HMP Styal and HMP Thorn Cross, Cheshire have completed this artwork to help demonstrate that every prisoner’s conviction and sentence is a personal story of love, hope and loss.

Debbie Dalby, Director of Social Responsibility at the Diocese of Chester, said: “We want people to view the exhibition and leave with a greater sense of empathy and awareness of prisoner experience. There is life beyond prison and we want to celebrate renewal and restoration and the hope of a brighter, more optimistic future.

“By seeing the creativity of prisoners and hearing their stories, people will be able to better understand some of the choices, mistakes and circumstances that they have faced in their lives.”

On of the recently released Inmates, Theresa, said her newly developed faith in God transformed her life: “I always had a sense that I was too bad for God. I came out of prison in 2012 and tried to do things on my own and I was back in prison the following year. I was introduced to a Christian recovery programme and noticed that God was drawing my attention. I decided to get baptised, but I was still using at the time. Through prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit, God has radically transformed my life. I thought there was no hope for me. Now I’ve completed a recovery programme, I’m clean and I know God loves me.”

The Diocese of Chester has been working with prison chaplains from HMS Styal and HMS Thorn Cross who have worked with the prisoners to produce the pieces of art. The exhibits differ in style from large acrylic paintings, abstract landscapes, and self-portraits.

 The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Dr Peter Forster, says: “Prisoners are often viewed as “the other” yet they live in our midst, are a part of our communities, and contribute to our societies. The Bible has much to say about the plight of prisoners and the Christian faith recognises that every person is made in the image of God and is valued despite our individual mistakes and regrets. This exhibition allows us the opportunity to understand better the lived experiences of prisoners in Cheshire.”